Are you waiting for Summer Camp America 2014?

What you should expect at summer camp America 2014 - My experience from last year.

So your getting all excited about going to camp next year, you have filled in your application form,  and have completed your crazy YouTube video but what should you expect when you step off that plane and enter the world of camp?

This is my story, having always had a strong desire to travel and see the world I decided to combine that with my passion for horse riding. I initially chose AmeriCamp as they allowed flight flexibility and paid the highest salary as well as having a genuine interest in me as a person. They kept in constant contact with me through the application process and I had 2 job offers within 4 weeks of applying.

I accepted a position in Michigan, and the rest of the visa process was pretty straight forward, I attended to American embassy and had my visa back within 7 days.  Due to AmeriCamp’s partnership with STA travel I got discount on my flights and my personal travel insurance.

I flew out to camp in the first week of May as my camp arranged for me to go on a CHA instructor assessment course and also lifeguard training which was over $800 of instruction. I spent the first week in a training centre just outside Detroit, not going to lie it was pretty cold and I didn’t have much of a clue about Western riding, however I made some great friends and had my first experience of Walmart and Taco Bell!

After the training arrange transport to our new summer home based just outside the beautiful Traverse City close to Lake Michigan and plenty of beaches. We arrived at camp long before the children arrived so we had plenty of time to set up the stables and welcome the horses. I met my fellow barn chicks and slowly got to know the staff. One of the things I noticed was that most of the staff had been campers as children and loved camp so much that they couldn’t bear to leave. They remember the positive impact and amazing memories their camp counsellors gave them every summer and wanted to pass this onto the next generation.

The biggest shocks for me was sleeping in a cabin, (rather like a big garden shed) with no lights and plenty of chipmunks, the second thing I was less than impressed with was the outdoor showers, but I soon got over myself and got stuck in, the hotter the weather got the more welcome they became!

I was at camp nearly 4 weeks before the children arrived, we had 2 weeks of onsite staff training, this was a great opportunity to get to know everyone and try out the camps facilities. We also had plenty of time for socialising! Camp arranged for us to go to a baseball game, visit the local mall and the beaches! I also got to experience my first camp fire and camp songs! Wasn’t a fan to begin with but I now I know all the words! Also if you havn’t had as more you havn’t lived! Although be aware of Hersey’s chocolate it hasn’t got a patch on Cadbury’s.

I felt that my camp really prepared me for when the children arrived, the whole place had a totally different atmosphere when it was filled with children. I will defiantly be applying again for my summer campAmerica 2014.